1930s dating guide for women

This involved him going to the girl’s house, sometimes by appointment, to sit with her in the presence of her parents or a designated chaperone in order to get to know her better.

Obviously, no physical contact of any kind was allowed unless stolen in the rose garden when the chaperone was perhaps distracted.

From the way a woman should dress to the amount of alcohol she should have, and from how much she talks to her communication with the waiter, these rules were probably a woman’s worst nightmare -or best friend some may say.

Virginia married Allen Bailey in the summer of 1938, and they went on to have three girls (my mother is the eldest).

Here’s a picture of Grandmother Bailey, in a photo dated July 1941, after they’d been married a few years.

Going on dates to dances, soda shops, theaters, and restaurants – depending on what one could afford – became the norm.

That being said, what was acceptable and expected was still very different from today’s standards, especially for (who would have guessed? Men in the 1930’s were still supposed to be as chivalrous as they had been in previous decades. No hand-holding in public, and do not allow his arm to be around your shoulders during a film. Don’t cry or be sentimental or attempt to get him to talk about his feelings; this is distressing to him. Don’t be “familiar” with the waiter or any other man besides your date; give him your undivided attention. Don’t drink too much alcohol or be silly; this will humiliate him.